Selling a worn-out GMC Safari van

If your Safari is parked with a clunking front end, a dead V6 or brakes you can't trust, you can sell it without fixing a thing. That's the kind of van we take: we buy whole non-running and junk cars. A Safari goes as one piece, and there's free pickup anywhere in the US.

What the Safari was

Wikipedia lists the Safari as a minivan built from 1985 to 2005 at Baltimore Assembly in Maryland, with a 4-speed automatic. Rear-wheel-drive vans rode on the M-body platform and all-wheel-drive vans on the L-body. The EPA's data lists passenger, cargo and conversion versions in both drive types.

Complaint numbers are owner reports in NHTSA's file on October 10, 2026. A recall's vehicle number covers the full campaign, and it usually takes in other GM vans and trucks.

Problems by generation

First generation, 1985-1994: 358 complaints

Wikipedia lists one engine for the first generation: a 98-horsepower 2.5-liter Tech IV four-cylinder. Early complaint counts are tiny, 44 across 1985 to 1989. From 1990 to 1994, brakes are the top item every year.

That fits the biggest brake campaign. Recall 93V119 covers 1988-1992 vans whose front rotors could rust apart where the stamped center meets the cast outer section, from road salt. Dealers fitted new rotors with a corrosion coating. The campaign lists 341,364 vehicles.

Other first-generation recalls:

• 85V160 (1985): part of the steering gear housing where it bolts to the frame could break.
• 90V146 (1990): fuel return hoses could split at a crimped coupling and leak.
• 91V164 (1989-1991): the anchorage bar for rear sofa belts didn't meet the load standard.
• 93V187 (1985-1991): trapped foam or vinyl in the seat recliner joint could let bolts loosen; 604,207 vehicles in the campaign.

Second generation, 1995-2005: 805 complaints

The second generation brought a 190-horsepower 4.3-liter V6, and Wikipedia gives May 13, 2005, as the end of production. The 1995 is the peak, with 196 complaints: 48 on brakes, 33 on suspension and 30 on visibility.

The suspension complaints run hottest on the 1995 and 1996. Two campaigns touch the front end. Recall 95V175 covered just 69 1995 vans whose left lower control arm nut wasn't tightened. Recall 03V328, on the 2003, replaced steering knuckles that could cut the lower ball joint boot.

Visibility shows up on 1994 to 1997, and recall 03V159 replaced wiper motor circuit boards on 1995-1997 vans with cracked solder joints. That campaign lists 1,755,876 minivans, pickups and SUVs. On the 1997 and 1999, the power train climbs to second or first place (17 and 15 complaints).

Belts and seats drew several campaigns: 97V057 for rear bucket seat belt webbing (1996-1997), 99V009 for integrated child seats missing a spring (1996-1998), and 01V123 for a belt warning chime that might not sound (1996-1999). Recall 05V099 covered a multifunction switch on 2001-2002 vans that could knock out the stop lamps and hazards.

Crash ratings come up too. Wikipedia says the Astro and Safari improved in NHTSA testing from one star in 1991 to a three-star driver score and a four-star passenger score by 2000.

Complaints and recalls by year

A campaign can span several years, so the recall column doesn't sum to 15.

Should you fix it?

1. Check the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup first.
2. Front end clunking or wandering? Our broken suspension guide explains when a worn front end makes an old van not worth saving.
3. Hasn't moved in years? See sitting for years.
4. Hold a written quote up against what a running Safari of that year fetches. If they're close, sell it as it is.

Selling the Safari whole

1. Know the basics: VIN, mileage, passenger or cargo, RWD or AWD, and what's wrong.
2. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where the van is parked and whether it rolls. Free pickup anywhere in the US.
4. Leave the seats and parts in it. Say so if anything's been pulled.
5. Dig out the title and bring a photo ID. Selling for a parent or relative? See selling for a relative.

Other GMC vans: the Savana, Vandura and Rally.